D.C. United Rallies to Beat Colorado Rapids, 3-1

D.C. United had not played in 11 days, and for one half at RFK Stadium last night, it showed. Out of rhythm and off target, United fell behind on an own goal and found itself in danger of losing at home to the Colorado Rapids for the first time in 10 years.

But in a furious 16-minute response inspired by Christian Gómez and Jaime Moreno, United scored three times and outclassed the Rapids, 3-1, before 18,248 spectators.

"The way we finished the game, it shows what we are really capable of doing and where we are going," goalkeeper Josh Wicks said.

Moreno, returning from a month-long layoff, converted a penalty kick less than two minutes after entering at the start of the second half and Bryan Namoff made amends for his 14th-minute own goal with a diving header -- his third league goal in nine seasons.

Gómez, benched by the Rapids late last year before returning to Washington in a trade this preseason, played a part in all the scoring: He drew the penalty kick, assisted Namoff's goal with a well-placed corner kick, and in the 61st minute, used his persistence and vision to help set up Luciano Emilio's strike.

United (6-3-9, 27 points) avenged a 3-0 loss to the Rapids (6-5-6, 24) last month and improved to 5-0-4 at RFK. The outcome also allowed United to keep pace in MLS's Eastern Conference. Two points separate the top four clubs, with Chicago (7-3-7, 28) in first followed by D.C., Columbus (6-3-9, 27) and Toronto (7-6-5, 26).

While United was again without Santino Quaranta and Dejan Jakovic because of Gold Cup duty, Moreno and Emilio returned to the game-day roster after recovering from injuries. With neither forward at full fitness, Coach Tom Soehn turned to Emilio's striking capabilities at the beginning and saved Moreno's ball control and patience for the second half.

The Rapids were missing midfielder Colin Clark (U.S. team) and defender Ugo Ihemelu (yellow card suspension).

United's rustiness showed in the first half, but the club generated enough genuine scoring opportunities, starting in the sixth minute when on-rushing Thabiso Khumalo collected a through ball alone in the penalty area. When goalkeeper Matt Pickens committed low, the South African had his choice of locations to deposit the ball. But instead of a simple touch, Khumalo decided to chip it, sending it over the crossbar.

Eight minutes later, Namoff made a rare mistake during a superb season. Rapids forward Conor Casey beat Greg Janicki and flicked a long ball into the box. Namoff had inside position on Jacob Peterson but felt the pressure and, in a moment of miscommunication with Wicks, sent the attempted clearance into the right side of the net.

United continued to play with energy and urgency, but runs were mistimed, distribution was late and the finishing touch remained elusive.

At halftime, Soehn made the obvious change: Moreno for Khumalo. The Bolivian forward's impact was almost immediate. Forty seconds into the half, he pushed a perfect through ball to Gómez, who had a step on Pablo Mastroeni. Mastroeni reached for Gómez's shoulder, prompting referee Ricardo Salazar to award a penalty kick.